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Kristina Moore looks set to be Jersey's next Chief Minister - and become the first woman to hold the most senior elected role in any government in the Channel Islands.
Deputy Moore, top, has already been publicly backed by 30 of her colleagues, nearly two-thirds of Jersey's newly-elected States' Assembly.
The only other candidate for Chief Minister is Deputy Sam Mézec, the Leader of Reform Jersey, who so far has the backing of the nine other members of his party but no other States' members.
The Leader of the Jersey Liberal Conservatives, former Bailiff Sir Philip Bailhache, told Express that he failed to secure the backing of at least six colleagues before nominations closed at 17:00 yesterday and therefore could not be a candidate for Chief Minister.
In total, there are 49 elected States' members in Jersey - 37 deputies across nine districts and one Constable for each of the island's 12 parishes. The role of Senator, which was elected island wide, was abolished ahead of last week's general election, although one of the outgoing Senators who was re-elected, Ian Gorst, has already submitted a proposal to reinstate some seats with an island wide mandate.
Pictured: Deputy Sam Mézec, centre, with his Reform Jersey colleagues, who have nominated him for the role of Chief Minister.
Deputies Moore and Mézec were poll toppers in last week's general election: Deputy Moore in the St Ouen, St Peter and St Mary district and Deputy Mézec in St Helier South.
Deputy Moore stood for election as part of Better Way, which called itself a movement and was not registered as a political party, and promised "a collaborative and transparent approach, bringing together people from diverse backgrounds who share a commitment to the island and finding a better way".
Deputy Mézec's Reform Jersey is a left of centre party. It doubled its number of seats in the Assembly from five to 10 last week, including winning eight seats across two of the St Helier/Town districts.
Pictured: Deputy Kristina Moore is a long-time critic of plans to spend £800m building a new hospital and health campus at Overdale in St Helier. The outgoing States' Assembly approved the plans, but she wants them reviewed and debated by the States again by October this year.
In honour of swearing-in day in Jersey, we've created a 'Jsy women in the States' Twitter list to make it easy to check in on their progress.
— Women in Public Life Guernsey (@womenpubliclife) June 27, 2022
To view/follow the list, go to our profile and tap on the three dots. #WomenStandCI pic.twitter.com/qtbpkzkbkC
Pictured: Women in Public Life Guernsey is delighted that women will make up nearly half the new States' Assembly in Jersey.
Deputy Moore has circulated a vision statement and a plan for the first 100 days under her leadership.
"I believe in the huge potential of Jersey. Our better days are ahead of us. But we must take on some of the big challenges facing our island," said Deputy Moore.
"I want to lead a government that is open, transparent, inclusive, accountable and, most importantly, will get things done. In four years’ time, I want States' members and voters to be able to recognise that the States have made a real difference in improving people's lives and setting us on a path of renewal and growth."
Will Jersey beat us to it with the first woman CM? Watch this space . . .
— Steve Falla (@steve_falla) June 23, 2022
Pictured: Guernsey Deputy Steve Falla has been tweeting congratulations and good wishes to Deputy Kristina Moore.
Deputy Moore's ideas include:
a swift 'mini budget' to help alleviate cost of living pressures;
raising the minimum wage to £10 an hour;
creating a 'Cabinet Office' to "co-ordinate the work of government and strengthen collective decision making";
temporarily limiting the number of new houses over 3,000 square feet;
reviewing a project to build a new hospital at a projected cost of £800million; and
one meal a day in school for every schoolchild.
Pictured: Deputy Sam Mézec wants to see GST removed from food and other essentials.
Deputy Mézec will stand for Chief Minister on the policies put forward in Reform Jersey's extensive election programme.
"I will seek to run a cohesive government which is effective and decisive," said Deputy Mézec.
"This government will be inclusive of the talent there is across the Assembly and will reflect the diversity of the community we represent. But crucially, it will be driven by values of social and economic justice.
"I believe that it is through our shared endeavour that we can create an environment in which everyone can achieve their potential, irrespective of their race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, disability or social background.
"I believe in speaking up for the vulnerable and encouraging those with aspiration. I wish to see Jersey prosper in a manner that will improve the wellbeing of all current and future citizens. I hope to work with members who share these values and will work hard to put them into practice in government."
Pictured: States' members in Jersey were sworn into office yesterday and will meet next Tuesday to elect the island's new Chief Minister.
Deputy Mézec's ideas include:
an urgent housing crisis action plan;
working towards abolition of fees for GP appointments;
removing GST from food and essential items by 2023;
one meal a day in school for every schoolchild;
higher rates of tax for the highest earners, reductions for middle earners and protections for lower earners; and
support for households to adopt low carbon heating.
Pictured: Sir Philip Bailhache, a former Bailiff of Jersey, was hoping to stand for the role of Chief Minister for a second time, but he was unable to secure enough backers to submit a nomination by the deadline of 17:00 yesterday.
Jersey's next Chief Minister will be elected at the first meeting of the newly-elected States a week today - Tuesday 5 July.
The successful candidate will become Chief Minister designate until the rest of the Council of Ministers is elected the following week, at which point he or she will succeed Senator John Le Le Fondré, who lost his seat at last week's general election after 17 years in the Assembly.
It was election night in Jersey...and the Chief Minister lost his seat
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